How to Know if You Have Good Colleagues

Good colleagues are the ones with whom the following conversation is likely:

You: I just got an article accepted for publication.

Colleagues: That's so great! Congratulations! What is it about?

You: Identity and ideology.

Colleagues: That sounds fascinating. I'd love to read it when it comes out. Is your article in Spanish or in English?

You: English.

Colleagues: It's so amazing that you can write in both languages.

The not-so-good colleagues make the following conversation more likely:

You: I just got an article accepted for publication.


Colleagues: Really? Where?

You: Journal XYZ.

Colleagues: XYZ? Haven't they closed yet? I heard they were going to close because they really lowered their standards lately. What is the article about?
You: Identity and ideology.

Colleagues: Oh, that's so cute! I had no idea anybody still worked these topics. They were in vogue 15 years ago but I haven't heard anybody mention them since. Is your article in Spanish or in English?

You: English.

Colleagues: I know how much you always struggle with writing in English. Are you sure it was a good idea? Anyways, Journal XYZ is not in a position to reject anything right now, since they are about to go under completely.

After spending many years with the colleagues from the second group, I'm very happy finally to be surrounded by people from the first group.